Deborah Ann Casselbury

On February 27, 2026, Deborah “Debbie” Ann Stroud Casselbury, of Burke, VA, left this world to be reunited with her beloved husband, Arthur. Debbie leaves behind one daughter, Samantha Casselbury, 41, of Nokesville, VA. Debbie was the only child of George and Mary Anna Hayhoe Stroud on February 16, 1952 in Washington, D.C. As a child, she enjoyed spending summers crabbing on the Potomac with her cousins. She was a lifelong Catholic and dedicated to education, earning both a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a Master’s degree in economics from the Catholic University of America in her hometown of Washington, D.C. Debbie’s career was broad and rich – she worked in computer programming for a number of years before meeting the love of her life and starting a family, ultimately changing career paths to spend more time with her daughter and to continue sharing her love of knowledge and learning. In 1983, Debbie married Arthur Henry Casselbury. She and Arthur had their daughter, Sam, in 1985 and both Debbie and Arthur dedicated the rest of their lives to their daughter and the family they created together. As Sam grew, Debbie moved from computer programming to teaching at Sam’s school, St. Bernadette Catholic School in Springfield, VA. She later went on to teach at other Catholic schools in the Diocese of Arlington until she eventually retired. Debbie fostered Sam’s love of horses and became a volunteer with the 4-H Horse and Pony program, where she was active for nearly twenty years. Debbie was a barn mom extraordinaire and an ever-present fixture at Sam’s lessons and shows. She also had a great love for the horses in their lives and a special bond with one of Sam’s first ponies, Abby. After Sam’s 4-H years were over, Debbie spent much of her free time supporting Sam in starting her own business as a boarding barn operator, trainer, and equestrian coach. Still the barn mom, she got to know many of Sam’s boarders and lesson children through the years as well as their horses. Debbie was smart, opinionated, funny, kind, and absolutely dedicated to Arthur and Sam and her myriad of cats, dogs and horses. Debbie lost Arthur in February 2006; she spent the rest of her life serving as her daughter’s number one fan and supporter, but with a heart that was broken by the loss of her husband. She continued to find enjoyment spending time at the barn, getting to know the riders and horses alike, and taking care of her cats at home in Burke. She enjoyed keeping in touch with friends via social media and was never afraid to share her thoughts and opinions, especially on current events and religion, along with the occasional funny photo or meme. Debbie leaves behind her daughter Sam, along with many friends and her beloved cats. She will be missed tremendously, but those who love her understand her final wish to join Arthur in Heaven has come to fruition. Our sorrow in her passing can be tempered by the knowledge that she gave this life everything she had for as long as she was allowed to do so – but now she lives forever with her true love in the House of the Father, no doubt watching Sam and continuing to root for her in all aspects of life.

Deborah Ann Casselbury

February 16, 1952 - February 27, 2026